First things first
Oregon State Parks wants to help you start the year off right with First Day Hikes, a day when entry and parking fees are waived and, in many cases, park rangers are on hand to assist with exploring some of the most stunning parts of our great state.
The following three events on the Central Coast are just a sampling of the more than 30 hikes happening this coming Wednesday, Jan. 1.
Fogarty Creek State Park
This hike will be a roughly two-and-a-half-mile out-and-back trip along the Oregon Coast Trail from Fogarty Creek State Park to just north of Boiler Bay State Park.
The terrain varies from dirt trail, gravel, rock stairs and walking on the shoulder of Highway 101. Parts of the trail can have uneven surfaces. Plan accordingly for hiking through possible wet and muddy sections.
Two time slots are available at 10 and 10:30 am. Fogarty Creek State Park is located at 2900 N Hwy. 101 in Depoe Bay. The meeting point will be near the restroom on the north side of the park. Registration is required and no dogs are allowed.
Sitka Sedge State Natural Area
Join a park ranger for a guided hike at Sikta Sedge State Natural Area. This trail provides opportunities for bird watching, whale watching and mushroom identification. The hike includes the Beltzs Dike, which goes through the Sandlake Estuary, providing an opportunity to possibly see a river otter. From there, walkers will hike a loop trail through the forest with views of the estuary and access to the beach. The total distance is two and a half miles.
The hike will start at noon at the Sitka Sedge parking lot.
Yachats State Recreation Area Sunset Hike
This roughly one-and-a-half-mile round-trip guided hike heads along part of the historic 804 trail from Yachats State Recreation Area to Smelt Sands State Recreation Site. This hike will have almost continuous views of the Pacific Ocean and should finish just in time for a spectacular sunset, if the weather cooperates. There is also the possibility of spotting gray whales that are on the southern leg of their annual migration.
Well-behaved dogs may attend as long as they remain on a six-foot or shorter leash.
The hike will start at 3:30 pm at the Yachats State Recreation Area parking lot.
For more information, go to stateparks.oregon.gov.